CHARLOTTE, NC–(Marketwired – April 02, 2013) – Chanticleer Holdings, Inc., a minority shareholder in the privately held parent company of the Hooters® brand, Hooters of America, and a franchisee of international Hooters® restaurants, announced today its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2012.

Highlights Include:

Restaurant revenue for the fourth quarter 2012 increased to $2.0 million, compared with $1.7 million in the third quarter 2012, an increase of 14.5%, and $980,000 in the year-ago fourth quarter. For the full year 2012, restaurant revenue was $6.8 million compared with $980,000 in the year-ago period. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had six restaurants (five consolidated and one joint venture) compared with three consolidated restaurants as of December 31, 2011.

Gross profit margins for the fourth quarter 2012 were 61.4% compared with 58.2% in the third quarter 2012, and 48.5% in the year-ago fourth quarter. For the full year, gross profit margins were 59.1% compared with 48.5% in 2011.

Same-store gross sales for restaurants opened more than a year increased 13.2% in local currency (Rands) and 5.2% in U.S. dollars for the fourth quarter 2012.

Restaurant operating expenses for the fourth quarter 2012 were $1.1 million or 58.7% of restaurant revenue, compared with $598,000, or 61.0% for the year-ago quarter. For the full year 2012, restaurant operating expenses were $3.8 million, or 56.1% of revenue, compared with $598,000 or 61.0% for the full year 2011.

The company opened three (two consolidated, one joint venture) new locations in 2012, and has targeted an additional four (three consolidated, one joint venture) locations for 2013.

Net loss for the fourth quarter 2012 was $879,000, or $0.24 per share, compared with $667,000, or $0.53 per share for the year-ago fourth quarter. Net loss for the full year was $3.2 million, or $1.25 per share, compared with $1.2 million, or $0.98 per share.

Restaurant EBITDA for the fourth quarter 2012 was $94,393 compared with $(20,625) in 2011; for the full year 2012 Restaurant EBITDA was $322,415 vs. $(20,625) in 2011.

General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses for the fourth quarter 2012 were $784,000, or 39.7% of total revenue, compared with $488,000 or 48.4% in the year-ago fourth quarter. A portion of this increase was related to the Company’s South African operations’ accounting issues, which have been resolved. Full-year 2012 G & A was $2.6 million, or 38.0% of total revenue compared with $1.2 million, or 84.6% for the full year 2011.

Mike Pruitt, President and CEO of Chanticleer, commented, “2012 was a significant year for Chanticleer Holdings as we lay the foundation for growth in the four international regions we are doing business in, improved our gross profit margins to 61.4%, and produced a robust increase in same-store sales growth. Specifically, we increased our footprint in South Africa and also expanded to Hungary, bringing the iconic Hooters brand, and the American experience, to new audiences. We have implemented several operational initiatives in South Africa, updated our menu offerings in conjunction with Hooters of America, and have added several items to the menu that are attractive to health-conscious consumers and the female market.”

“We expect to open four new locations in 2013, to bring our total restaurants to 10. We are pleased with our expansion into Hungary, and look forward to moving ahead with our plans to increase our seating capacity in that restaurant with the opening of a new patio area, in time for the upcoming tourist season. While our Budapest location is our first entry into the Eastern Europe market, we are targeting other locations in that region. In addition to Eastern Europe, we are also focusing on opening in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and other South African cities. We believe we have a solid business model that will help us to propel our growth in our international markets.”